This year, Abe did not say that he will seek the return of the “four” Russian-held islands. He just said that he will work to settle “the territorial issue”. This suggests that Abe is considering taking a major backward step from Japan’s position claiming the right to the four islands.

The Japan Federation of Newspaper Workers’ Unions pointed out that journalists are tasked to give those in power the third degree from various angles, which contributes to guaranteeing the general public their right to know.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Address. Once again, he called for constructing of a wall along the Mexican border, clinging to his long-held policy which has been a source of division and chaos in the U.S.